Researchers have also brought new scientific understanding about the importance of quality uniformity inside poultry houses. If successful, this innovation has enormous potential to improve the growth efficiency and welfare of broiler chickens. John Boney, Vernon E. Norris Faculty Fellow of Poultry Nutrition in the College of Agricultural Sciences, is currently the senior author on a landmark study appearing in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research. The study demonstrates the superiority of amino acid density monitoring over enzyme concentration for evaluating nutrient distribution.
The research fills an urgent gap in the field of poultry farming, where commercial houses regularly welcome from 25,000 to 40,000 birds. Inconsistency in nutrient dispersal among these environments may cause variation and therefore affect the performance and growth of chickens. Our research addresses two critical nutrients: amino acids density and Phytase Activity. Ultimately, it seeks to open new opportunities for more sustainable and equitable feeding practices for producers and consumers alike.
Study Overview and Findings
The research team put to the test diets varying in amino acid density at two densities, and three levels of Phytase Activity. Amino acid density is the concentration of essential amino acids per unit of feed. This high concentration is necessary for the chickens’ rapid growth. Phytase Activity Conservation Phytase Activity The phytase enzyme allows chickens to digest phosphorus better from plant feeds. This ability increases the quality of their nutrition and health overall.
Boney acknowledged how feed quality inconsistencies could occur due to problems such as pellet quality. He pointed out how the length of feed lines exacerbate this issue. These inconsistencies may lead to nutrient under- or over-delivery, which in turn can impact health outcomes for broiler chickens.
“Walking through commercial poultry houses and looking in the feed pans, seeing what the birds are consuming, we saw a difference in the quality of feed from the front of the house where feed was coming in to the back end of the house,” – John Boney
These findings suggest that monitoring amino acid density yields a more meaningful picture than just following Phytase Activity levels. This unexpected finding is providing new opportunities to improve feeding practices in poultry production.
Importance of Consistent Feeding Methods
There can be no underestimating the importance of standardized feeding practices. Due to increasing demand, the poultry industry is raising larger and larger flocks, so keeping nutrient distribution even throughout is extremely important. Unpredictability, even at the intraspecific level, can lead to differential growth rates and health conditions for the members of a brood of birds.
Boney underscored the importance of reducing or removing segregation of nutrients. He continued to explain how, if all the birds in a home are receiving the same nutrients, they’ll be able to develop along the same timeline. This would lead to flocks that are more even in size and health.
“If we can minimize or eliminate nutrient segregation, all the birds, regardless of where they’re reared in a chicken house, have access to the same nutrients, and in theory, could grow at the same rate, making that flock more uniform in terms of size and health. So, it helps producers operating a processing plant satisfy orders.” – John Boney
This emphasis on standardization doesn’t just support animal welfare. It empowers producers to meet demand more effectively.
Implications for Poultry Production
Beyond just the nutritional implications, Boney’s research has major avenues for improving operational efficiencies in poultry production. And as producers continue to make improvements and meet ever-growing consumer demands, maintaining an understanding of which methods are most effective and reproducible is key.
Boney concluded with a strong message regarding the industry’s future:
“Feed is carefully formulated for broilers to make them grow quickly and be healthy. As the poultry industry continues to grow, raising more and more birds, it’s important that feeding methods are consistent and uniformly effective.” – John Boney